Chapter Text
Yuya woke up the next morning around 10:30am, feeling just as bright and bubbly as he had the night before. He knew he'd missed breakfast and that his mom probably wouldn't be that happy with him, but he usually slept in after balls. Besides, it wasn't like she sent Sawatari to wake him up, so she must expect it from him by now. Really though, even if she did get mad, he didn't think there was anything that could spoil his mood right then. Not today.
The young prince threw back his covers and hopped out of bed, getting dressed hurriedly. He stopped, taking a moment to brush his hair a little before dashing out of his room.
He wanted to see Yuto. That was his priority at the moment.
Memories of last night and the kiss they shared had been buzzing happily in his head all night and it was putting a bounce in his step as he raced down the hallway. He skidded around corners and narrowly missed running into a few of the servants on his way. He made sure to apologize to them quickly as he went, though he didn't slow his pace.
He stepped out into the courtyard, looking up at the bright blue sky, a wide smile on his face as he took a moment to breathe in the fresh air. Everything about that morning just seemed perfect and he knew it would only get more so once he found Yuto. Sweet, surprisingly gentle Yuto...~
He was going to tell him. He'd decided that last night and he didn't think there was anything that could change his mind about it. He'd run the conversation over in his head plenty of times, considering how Yuto might make mention, again, of their status, but... such things had never meant much to Yuya anyway. He knew in his heart what he wanted and that was Yuto. And after the way Yuto had kissed him last night, he was certain that Yuto felt the same way.
Yuya jogged down the courtyard pathway, eyes darting around for any sign of the handsome knight. He made polite, though excited waves and greetings to the garden workers as he went. He found himself becoming somewhat confused when, after racing around the whole castle pretty much, he hadn't seen him.
Although... he supposed there was a good chance he was somewhere with Shun and Ruri... He seemed like he took his job seriously after all. Which was another thing that Yuya liked about him. That dedication and loyalty he had to people he cared about...~
Yuya giggled a bit to himself, the thought of the young knight alone making him feel quite giddy, his stomach swirling with butterflies and his heart beating faster in his chest.
Yuya spotted Sawatari brushing his horse's mane a little further down the path in a more open area closer to the front gates. He had a slight wondering as to why he wasn't doing so at the stables, though he supposed he must have just come back from something. That or he was about to head out.
He jogged over to him, waving his hand over his head. “Sawatariiii~” he chimed at him to get his attention.
Sawatari stopped brushing his horse, looking at Yuya and raised a brow. “Oh, so you finally woke up, huh?” he put a hand on his hip. “You know, the Queen wasn't happy about you not showing up this morning,” he noted. “Can't you get it together for important things at least?” he scolded with a sigh, placing his fingers on his forehead and shaking his head.
The prince frowned. “Oh, come on, I can have breakfast with them tomorrow. It's not a big deal. And besides! I was tired! I always am after balls, you know that. Mom knows that too, so I'm sure she's not that mad.”
Sawatari frowned. “Well it was less the missing breakfast and more you missing the departure of the Prince and Princess that bothered her,” he explained. “Although I suppose you'll never change.”
“And anyway, what's got you in such a good mood? You're practically-- Actually no, you actually were bouncing when you came over to me. I mean, not that I can blame you for being in such a good mood being in my presence and such excitement is an expected response of course, but you're not usually quite this excited.” he noted, gesturing in a circular motion to Yuya.
Yuya blushed. “Oh, um...” he scratched his cheek, smiling dumbly and looking at the ground somewhat meekly. “Well I'm looking for Yuto right now actually...~ There's something I have to tell him, so--” he explained, then stopped as something finally registered to him. He looked up at Sawatari quickly, somewhat alarmed.
“...Departure... into town?” he questioned somewhat cautiously.
The other male gave an exasperated sigh. “How can you be so oblivious to everything? I'd say we must have been switched at birth, but your attitude doesn't fit for the son of a nobleman either,” he shook his head. “Their departure home. As in... back to Heartland? Where they live? As in... what happens every time after a royal ball is hosted for a visiting kingdoms?”
Yuya froze, taking a moment to process that. “They... they went home...?” he felt like his heart was being torn apart. “So... so that means Yuto...” he stopped, his expression growing pained. His whole body felt like it was going numb. So he was... gone? Just like that? He didn't even get to say goodbye...?
Sawatari looked over his expression, crossing his arms. “Okay, what is with you and that other knight? Come to think of it, you wouldn't tell me before what the deal was either! What, were you looking for him so you could offer him my job? How ungrateful! You'd regret that, you know. There is no knight, no actually, let me rephrase that, no one better than Shingo Sawatari! You can only go down from me!” he snapped, growing exceedingly cross.
“Sa-Sawatari--”
“You know, it's thanks to me you even get to any of your princely duties and god, don't get me started on your public appearances. If I let you dress the way you wanted, you'd be a laughing stock! Like those goggles you insist upon wearing around the castle? Just... why.” he criticized he waved a hand at him. “You've got such good looks, but they're wasted when you have such terrible fashion sense! Although I can make you look hot. And I do!”
“Yeah, but--”
“You're lucky to have me, y'know!! I bet there are thousands of other people out there who wish they could be guarded by someone as truly breathtaking as the great, wonderful amazing Shingo Sawatari! What is it that this 'Yuto' has that I don't, huh? Is it that cool, mysterious demeanor because, whereas I get the appeal of that, it doesn't mean anything unless he can back it up. I bet I could take him. He doesn't look that tough. I'd win in a heartbeat! Yuto can't protect you like I can! Yuto--”
“Shingo!!” Yuya grabbed Sawatari's shoulders suddenly, trying to get him to stop. “I'm not trying to replace you with Yuto! I... I'm in love with him!!” he blurted out, his face turning as red as his hair.
Sawatari stopped, mouth partially agape for a moment as he tried to process that. “...Oh.”
Yuya looked at him with pleading eyes, his words coming out with a desperate hopelessness. “Are... are they really gone...?” he asked weakly.
Sawatari only took a second to think about it. “Jeez, why didn't you say that earlier! You could have saved me a whole lot of grief. Not to mention I could have given you some fabulous dating tips,” he laughed, patting Yuya's shoulder.
“Now come on! They actually just left for the docks like 20 minutes ago. If we hurry, I bet we can still catch them!” he urged, about to hop on his horse before he stopped and shook his head, bopped the bottom of his palm against his forehead.
“Ahhh, no! Of course! What am I thinking!? You go alone! It's much more dramatic that way,” he decided, placing a hand on Yuya's back and ushering him towards the horse.
Yuya was a little stunned. “H-Huh? What? But--!”
“You know how to ride a horse, right? Come on, Yuya! True love only knocks once! You already messed up sleeping in! There's no time to lose! Don't over think it, just go!” he declared, grabbing Yuya's waist to boost him up onto the horse.
Yuya swung his leg over the horse and grabbed the reigns. “Well I do, but--”
“Enough talk! Love awaits!” Sawatari proclaimed, raising his arms up dramatically before slapping the horse's butt to get it to go straight into a run.
Yuya yelped as the horse bucked a bit before speeding off, clutching the reigns tightly.
“Good luck!!” he heard Sawatari call after him, waving his hands above his head.
“Tha-Thanks!!” Yuya called back before the horse sped out the front gate towards the village.
Admittedly, though Yuya did kind of know how to ride a horse, his experience was always a little... rocky. But Sawatari was right, he didn't have time to think about that right now!
He sped through the village towards the docks, the horse kicking over a few buckets and narrowly missing quite a few people somewhat due to speed and somewhat due to Yuya's lack of complete control.
“Sorry!!” he called as the horse knocked an entire basket of fruit out of someone's arms. “I'll pay for that!! Just as soon as I get back!!”
As he got closer to the docks, he could see the large ship in the bay. It had already raised anchor from what Yuya could tell and he knew there was no way he'd make it to the docks before it took off.
His heart squeezed at the thought. Yuto was right there! Right on that boat...! He needed a different plan. A good plan. Preferably... a fast plan.
Yuya's eyes darted to a tall cliff up ahead that over looked the ocean in the path of where the ship was headed. There! Perfect! Maybe if the ship came close enough...
The prince tugged on the reigns. “Come on!! We gotta hurry!!” he exclaimed to the horse as he changed its trajectory, heading for the cliff.
He could see the ship moving closer and closer to the cliff as his horse sped up the path, knowing he wouldn't have time to think about this. He'd just have to step forward and try! Or... gallop as the case may be.
He stroked the horse's neck as they got closer to the cliff. “Come on, we can do this...” he told him urgently, “We're going to have to jump!”
The horse, however, could see the cliff edge coming up quickly and had other plans.
It whinnied in an alarmed fashion before putting on all the stops, attempting best it could to stop before the cliff did. The inertia flung Yuya off his back and towards the ship as it started to cruise past.
“Uwahhhh!!!” Yuya screamed as he sailed through the sky towards the ship, flailing a bit as he, thankfully, hit the sail. ...Well only somewhat thankfully as it made him bounce off and he couldn't say it didn't, ironically, knock the wind out of him. “Khh!” he gasped.
Yuya flung his arms out towards a rope, though missed, his heart racing now from adrenaline and fear. He screamed and shut his eyes tightly, bracing himself for a rough landing.
He heard the clatter of metal hitting the deck. A sword perhaps?
“Yuya!!” he heard a terrified yell, then moments later felt a hard, though still much softer than he anticipated, impact as he hit the ground. Or he was expecting it to be the ground anyway.
“Oof!” the same voice exclaimed, though much closer this time.
Yuya opened his eyes, finding himself sitting in the arms(and the lap) of the very knight he'd been trying so desperately to find. “Yuto!!” he chimed, face immediately brightening. Yuto seemed to grimace a bit and Yuya had to guess the impact hadn't been super kind to him.
“Are-Are you okay?” Yuto asked despite being worse off himself. “What... what are you doing here? Why did--? You just drop from the sky now!? That... That was so dangerous!! I hope that's not a new part of your act!” Yuto seemed incredibly flustered and definitely panicked, confusion and concern in his grey eyes.
Yuya didn't think about what he did next. He wrapped his arms around Yuto's neck and kissed him passionately.
Yuto jumped a bit from surprise, though melted into the kiss a moment after, returning the kiss softly and sweetly, his strong arms holding him close.
His eyes were half-lidded when Yuya pulled back, calmer seeming, though still rather confused. He had a deep red on his cheeks, his eyes questioning, begging for explanation.
Yuya blushed. “I... I couldn't just let you go. I-I can't,” he replied. “The amount of times that our kingdoms get to visit each other is so slim and I... I didn't know when I'd ever get to see you again!” he urged him.
“A-And I know I messed up and a slept in and I missed our goodbye, but... I don't... want to say goodbye to you, Yuto...! Thinking about that makes my heart feel like it's being ripped out of my chest! It's unbearable! So... So I raced here as fast as I could. Raced after you because....”
Yuya climbed off Yuto's lap as he spoke, getting back to his feet again. He remembered something Sawatari had told him once about how proclaiming important things wasn't done sitting down. Granted, that had been about him being with his parents while they made important announcements, but... still.
He helped Yuto back to his feet and took a breath, keeping his hands in his “Yuto... I love you. And... If... if you feel the same way then... Please... Stay here with me!” he declared.
Yuto was definitely quite visibily stunned, face going red once more with blush. “Yuya... I... I do. I love you too... Really...” he admitted. “But...” he hesitated, a pained expression on his own face. He bit his lip. “H... Heartland... it's my home... I can't just... just pack up and go like that... Where would I even be? Your castle has enough knights, there's no place for me here,” he expressed his concerns.
Yuya felt his heart racing with anticipation and he wasn't ready to give up just yet. “Th-Then...! We'll make a place for you! There has to be one! There, Ahh-- Oh!” He had an idea. He gave Yuto's hands a little squeeze, holding them tight.
“Yuto... if you stay with me, I promise, I'll make you the happiest man alive. And... and being with you already makes me feel so happy, my heart feelings like it could burst! Because you are really all I need. You're the sweetest, kindness, most wonderful person I've ever met. What I felt when I've been with you in these past few days has been... indescribable. Almost magical even! My mom always talked to me about true love and I was never really sure if I believed her or not, but... meeting you... I can't think of anything else this could possible be~” He gave a nervous little laugh. “And... being apart from you makes me feel so sad I can hardly bare it! I... I can't bare it in fact, so...” Yuya swallowed, only a moment of nerves stopping him before he proceeded.
Yuya carefully got down on one knee, taking out the small black box from his pocket, dust having since been removed from the cover. “So... Yuto... Will you marry me?” he asked boldly, opening the box to reveal the shiny diamond ring inside.
Yuto gasped, placing a hand over his mouth. “Y-Yuya...” he breathed, entirely shocked.
Yuya was trembling, waiting for Yuto's answer, eyes locked on him, unwavering as he watched the other male seem to hesitate again.
“I... but... my duty as a knight of Heartland castle... Even if I want to, I don't think I can just--”
“You can,” a voice from behind Yuto interrupted.
Yuto turned his head to look behind him and Yuya had to peek around to see. Shun and Ruri stood not to far from them, Ruri's hands were neatly folded in front of her and Shun stood next to her, his arms crossed, face ever serious.
“Yuto...” Ruri began. “Precious Yuto...~ You're so good and so kind to us. Your loyalty and your friendship is something that my brother and I have always treasured for the entirety of or relationship. But you've always been so altruistic towards us, you hardly think of yourself! Haven't Shun and I told you enough times that your happiness matters too?” she smiled, shaking her head.
“Princess...” Yuto seemed unsure.
Shun huffed. “Yuto. Just stay here already. You're so stubborn. You said you love him, right?” he told him gruffly, seemingly like he honestly wasn't super thrilled with the situation despite his words. Though his expression softened. “I mean... we'll miss you and all, but just... be happy.” he'd glanced away, a soft, embarrassed blush on his cheeks.
Yuto smiled, a touched expression crossing his features. “Shun...~”
“And Yuya, you'd better take good care of him! The best care!” Shun told him firmly, his eyes icy and serious. “Don't expect we won't come more frequently to visit if Yuto is staying here. He's an important part of our family, blood related or not.”
Yuya laughed nervously. “O-Of course!! I wouldn't dream of anything else! You can visit as much as you'd like and I promise, Yuto will be happy. Well, we both will be...~”
Ruri giggled, then raised her hand and shut her eyes. “With the power entrusted to me as royal princess of the kingdom of Heartland, I hereby relieve Sir Yuto of his duties as knight and guard of our great kingdom,” she announced, her tone official and firm. She opened her eyes, her smile warm and caring. “With, of course, the final command from my brother standing in place. Be happy, Yuto...~”
Yuya stood up, somewhat unsure, though heart filled with hope. He took Yuto's hand to try and get his attention again. “S-So...” he trailed. “Now that that's sorted... will... will you marry me, Yuto...?”
Yuto gave a laugh and turned his attention back to Yuya again. “Yes. Yuya, I will marry you~” he agreed, laughing more as Yuya pounced on him, sealing the deal with a deep, excited kiss.
Yuya pulled back so he could slip the ring onto Yuto's finger and Yuto laced their fingers together, resting his forehead against Yuya's, a warm, bright smile on his lips. “Yuya... I promise... I'll love you and I'll protect you until the day I die...~” he assured him, making Yuya giggle.
“You're gonna make Sawatari jealous with that protecting thing. He already thinks I'm trying to replace him with you~” he teased.
Yuto grinned and rolled his eyes, looping his free arm around Yuya's waist, pulling him closer to him. “Well then Sawatari might have to be a little jealous~” he chuckled before pressing another loving kiss to the lips of his new fiancé. Yuya wasn't about to protest.
Ruri stepped past them towards the helm of the ship. “Captain!” she called. “I think we need to turn this ship around! It seems that my brother and I might be staying a little longer in this kingdom. After all, there's a wedding to arrange! And we wouldn't miss it for the world.”